Soldier from Petawawa charged with sex assault

Allegations based on 2016 encounter at military college

A soldier from the Canadian Forces base in Petawawa has been charged with sexual assault.

The charge relates to an alleged incident in May 2016 at Royal Military College Saint-Jean in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., involving another member of the Canadian Armed Forces, according to a statement from the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service.

W.O. Rickey Bursey of 2 Combat Engineer Regiment in Petawawa faces one count of sexual assault.

The allegation has not been tested in court.

Bursey was attending a course at the Royal Military College Saint-Jean at the time of the alleged incident, military police spokesman Navy Lt. Blake Patterson said Wednesday.

“In all cases, the subject of charges is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” military police noted in a news release. “The matter is now proceeding in accordance with the military justice system for possible court martial at a date and location still to be determined.”

Lt.-Col. Kevin Cadman, the NIS commanding officer, said his organization is committed to ensuring all complaints are investigated.